Acid-reducing beverage filter and method of producing same

ABSTRACT

The present technology provides a method for preparing an acid-reducing filter that includes depositing a mineral blend layer to a filter substrate, where the mineral blend layer comprises calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate at a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1, the mineral blend is free of soluble halide or hydroxide salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals, and the mineral blend layer is insoluble in water.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/296,031, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,532,378, filed Mar. 7, 2019, entitled“ACID-REDUCING BEVERAGE FILTER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME” whichclaims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119, 120 to:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/639,869, filed Mar. 7, 2018,entitled, “Reducing Acidity of Beverages in Brew Process”; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/769,294, filed Nov. 19, 2018,entitled, “Acid-Reducing Beverage Filter and Method of Producing Same;”

each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present technology relates generally to methods of manufacturingbeverage filters for reducing the acidity of a beverage. Moreparticularly, and not by way of limitation, the present technologyrelates to methods of making an acid-reducing beverage filter, whichincludes a mineral blend layer, and use of the beverage filter to reducethe acidity of a beverage, such as, coffee or tea.

BACKGROUND

There exists methods of coffee filter production where a water-solublesalt is incorporated into a coffee filter for the goal of adjusting thepH. However, soluble materials dissolve in the cellulose suspensionduring typical paper filter preparation methods. In addition, when pHreducing compounds are water soluble (such as alkali metal hydroxidesalts, etc.), control over the final pH of the beverage (e.g., coffee)is lost since the acid reducing method and the resulting pH are nothindered by any kinetic or thermodynamic steps. Because solublematerials will readily and rapidly dissolve in aqueous solution, thereexists no control over the amount of the pH reducing compounds presentin the paper filter during manufacture or dissolved into a beverageduring use. Therefore, no pH control can be achieved. The presenttechnology is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present technology, a method for preparing anacid-reducing filter is provided that includes depositing a mineralblend layer to a filter substrate; where the mineral blend layerincludes calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate at a weight ratio ofabout 1:10 to about 10:1, the mineral blend is free of soluble halide orhydroxide salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals, and the mineralblend layer is insoluble in water.

In another aspect of the present technology, a method is provided forpreparing an acid-reducing filter that includes combining a mineralblend and a solvent to obtain a material matrix; depositing a layer ofthe material matrix to a substrate; and separating the solvent from thematerial matrix; where the mineral blend includes calcium carbonate,magnesium carbonate, and insoluble fiber materials, and the mineralblend has a weight ratio of calcium carbonate to magnesium carbonate ofabout 1:10 to about 10:1 by weight of the mineral blend, and the mineralblend is insoluble in water.

In another aspect of the present technology, a method is provided forpreparing an acid-reducing filter that includes combining a mineralblend and a filter substrate, wherein the mineral blend and the filtersubstrate form a homogenous mixture. Thus, the acid-reducing filterproduced by the method includes the mineral blend as an integrallyformed, homogenously distributed material.

In a related aspect of the preset technology, an acid-reducing filter isprovided that is prepared according to any of the methods describedherein in any embodiment.

In another related aspect of the present technology, a process forpreparing an acid-reduced liquid beverage is provided that includes:contacting a solid beverage material with an acid-reducing filter;contacting the solid beverage material and acid-reducing filter with aliquid to form a beverage matrix comprising the solid beverage materialand liquid; and separating the solid beverage material from the beveragematrix to obtain the acid-reduced liquid beverage; where theacid-reducing filter is prepared according to any method describedherein in any embodiment, and the liquid beverage has a change in pH ofabout 0.3 to about 1.5 pH units higher than a liquid beverage preparedwithout the acid-reducing filter.

According to a first aspect, a method for preparing an acid-reducingfilter including: A) depositing a mineral blend layer to a filtersubstrate, wherein: 1) the mineral blend layer includes calciumcarbonate and magnesium carbonate at a weight ratio of about 1:10 toabout 10:1; 2) the mineral blend is free of soluble halide or hydroxidesalts of alkali or alkaline earth metals; and 3) the mineral blend layeris insoluble in water.

According to a second aspect, the method of the first aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the calcium carbonate is present in an amount fromabout 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the mineral blend layer.

According to a third aspect, the method of the second aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate is present in an amountfrom about 60 wt % to about 75 wt % of the mineral blend layer.

According to a fourth aspect, the method of the third aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate ofthe mineral blend layer are present in approximate amounts of 66 wt %and 33 wt %, respectively, and wherein the acid-reducing filter includesa filter permeability of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².

According to a fifth aspect, the method of the third aspect or any otheraspect, wherein the mineral blend further includes insoluble fibermaterials selected from the group consisting of virgin bleachedcellulose fibers, virgin unbleached cellulose fibers, recycledunbleached cellulose fibers, hemp, synthetic fibers, nylon, biofibers,or mixtures of two or more thereof.

According to a sixth aspect, the method of the fifth aspect or any otheraspect, wherein the method further includes depositing one or morecoating layers including insoluble fiber materials.

According to a seventh aspect, the method of the sixth aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the method further includes: A) depositing a firstcoating layer to the filter substrate before depositing the mineralblend layer; and B) depositing a second coating layer to the mineralblend layer, wherein: 1) the mineral blend layer is disposed between thefirst coating layer and the second coating layer; and 2) the firstcoating layer and the second coating layer include insoluble fibermaterials.

According to an eighth aspect, the method of the seventh aspect or anyother aspect wherein the filter substrate is a coffee filter paper.

According to a ninth aspect, the method of the first aspect or any otheraspect, wherein the acid reducing filter produced includes a flow ratefrom about 5.0-10.0 milliliters per second.

According to a tenth aspect, a method for preparing an acid-reducingfilter including: A) combining a mineral blend including calciumcarbonate, magnesium carbonate, and insoluble fiber materials with asolvent to obtain a material matrix; B) depositing a layer of thematerial matrix to a substrate; and C) separating the solvent from thematerial matrix, wherein: the mineral blend has a weight ratio ofcalcium carbonate to magnesium carbonate of about 1:10 to about 10:1 byweight of the mineral blend, is free of soluble halide or hydroxidesalts of alkali or alkaline earth metals, and is insoluble in water.

According to an eleventh aspect, the method of the tenth aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate ofthe mineral blend are present in amounts ranging from about 60 wt % toabout 75 wt %, and about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %, respectively, andwherein the acid-reducing filter includes a filter permeability of about2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².

According to a twelfth aspect, the method of the tenth aspect or anyother aspect, wherein the substrate is a grate or a fine mesh material.

According to an thirteenth aspect, the method of the twelfth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the fine mesh material is selected from thegroup consisting of felt, wool, micron-grade filter paper, and non-wovenwater-permeable fibrous material.

According to a fourteenth aspect, the method of the thirteenth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the solvent is water.

According to a fifteenth aspect, the method of the fourteenth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the insoluble fiber material is selected fromthe group consisting of virgin bleached cellulose fibers, virginunbleached cellulose fibers, recycled unbleached cellulose fibers, hemp,synthetic fibers, nylon, biofibers, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

According to a sixteenth aspect, the method of the fifteenth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the weight ratio of calcium carbonate tomagnesium carbonate is from about 1:5 to about 5:1.

According to a seventeenth aspect, the method of the fifteenth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the weight ratio of calcium carbonate tomagnesium carbonate is from about 1:4 to about 2:3.

According to an eighteenth aspect, the method of the fifteenth aspect orany other aspect, wherein the mineral blend is integrally andhomogenously formed with the substrate.

According to a nineteenth aspect, the method of the seventeenth aspector any other aspect, wherein the mineral blend further includes calciumstearate, calcium fluoride, magnesium stearate, or mixtures of two ormore thereof.

According to a twentieth aspect, a method for preparing an acid-reducedliquid beverage including: A) contacting a solid beverage material withan acid-reducing filter; B) contacting the solid beverage material andacid-reducing filter with a liquid to form a beverage matrix includingthe solid beverage material and the liquid; and C) separating the solidbeverage material from the beverage matrix to obtain the acid-reducedliquid beverage, wherein the acid-reducing filter includes: 1) a mineralblend layer including calcium carbonate in an amount from about 25 wt %to about 40 wt % and magnesium carbonate in an amount from about 60 wt %to about 75 wt %; and 2) the liquid beverage has a change in pH of about0.3 to 1.5 pH units higher than a liquid beverage prepared without theacid-reducing filter.

According to a twenty-first aspect, the method of the twentieth aspector any other aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calciumcarbonate of the mineral blend are present in approximate amounts of 66wt % and 33 wt %, respectively, and wherein the acid-reducing filterincludes a filter permeability of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².

According to a twenty-second aspect, the method of the twentieth aspector any other aspect, wherein the solid beverage material includes one ormore of coffee beans, coffee grounds, or tea.

According to a twenty-third aspect, the method of the twentieth aspector any other aspect, wherein the liquid is water.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, the method of the twentieth aspector any other aspect, wherein the liquid beverage is coffee or tea.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect, the method of the twentieth aspector any other aspect, wherein the acid-reducing filter used includes aflow rate from about 5.0-10.0 milliliters per second.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect, a coffee filter including: A) anacid-reducing composition including: 1) calcium carbonate and magnesiumcarbonate with a weight ratio of calcium carbonate to magnesiumcarbonate of about 1:4 to about 2:3 by weight; and 2) one or morecellulose materials; B) a coffee filter body including a substrate ofcellulose, wherein: 1) the acid-reducing composition is bound to thesubstrate of cellulose via the one or more cellulose materials; 2) theacid-reducing composition is free of soluble halide or hydroxide saltsof alkali or alkaline earth metals; and 3) the acid-reducing compositionand the coffee filter body are insoluble in water.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect, the coffee filter of thetwenty-sixth aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calciumcarbonate of the acid-reducing composition are present in amountsranging from about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %, and about 25 wt % to about40 wt %, respectively, and wherein the coffee filter comprises a filterpermeability of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, the coffee filter of thetwenty-sixth aspect or any other aspect, wherein the acid-reducingcomposition is integrally and homogenously formed with the substrate.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, the coffee filter of thetwenty-sixth aspect or any other aspect, wherein the acid-reducingcomposition is deposited as at least one mineral blend layer onto thecoffee filter body.

According to a thirtieth aspect, the coffee filter of the twenty-seventhaspect or any other aspect, wherein the substrate is a grate or a finemesh material.

According to a thirty-first aspect, the coffee filter of the thirtiethaspect or any other aspect, wherein the fine mesh material is selectedfrom the group consisting of felt, wool, micron-grade filter paper, andnon-woven water-permeable fibrous material.

According to a thirty-second aspect, the coffee filter of thethirty-first aspect or any other aspect, wherein the one or morecellulose materials include virgin bleached cellulose fibers, virginunbleached cellulose fibers, recycled unbleached cellulose fibers, orcombinations thereof.

According to a thirty-third aspect, the coffee filter of thethirty-second aspect or any other aspect, wherein the acid-reducingcomposition further includes calcium stearate, calcium fluoride,magnesium stearate, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect, the coffee filter of thetwenty-sixth aspect or any other aspect, wherein the coffee filterincludes a flow rate of about 1.0-3.0 milliliters per second.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect, a method for preparing anacid-reduced beverage including: A) passing a pre-heated liquid througha beverage material to create a beverage liquid; and B) passing thebeverage liquid through an acid-reducing material including a weightratio of calcium carbonate to magnesium carbonate of about 1:4 to about2:3 by weight thereby increasing the pH of the beverage liquid by about0.3 to 1.5 pH units.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect, the method of the thirty-fifthaspect or any other aspect, wherein the beverage material is placed in acoffee filter material prior to passing the beverage liquid through theacid-reducing material.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect, the method of the thirty-fifthaspect or any other aspect, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calciumcarbonate of the acid-reducing material are present in amounts rangingfrom about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %, and about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %,respectively, and wherein the coffee filter material comprises a filterpermeability of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².

According to a thirty-eighth aspect, the method of the thirty-fifthaspect or any other aspect, wherein the acid-reducing material is formedwith the coffee filter.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect, the method of the thirty-fifthaspect or any other aspect, wherein the beverage material is stored in asingle-serve beverage pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an acid-reducing filter according toone embodiment.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a 200 μm magnified image of a regular cellulosecoffee filter (FIG. 2A) and a 200 μm magnified image of an exemplaryacid-reducing coffee filter (FIG. 2B) according to the one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow rate apparatus for evaluating flow rate of anexemplary acid-reducing filter according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate flowcharts showing one or more exemplary methodsfor producing an acid-reducing filter according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing a method for producing anacid-reducing filter according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing a method for producing anacid-reduced beverage according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate three waveforms depicting relationships betweenflow rate of liquid through an unmodified paper filter, an acid-reducingfilter according to one embodiment and one or more variables.

FIG. 8 shows a bar graph depicting relationships between pH of coffeebrewed with a regular filter and pH of coffee brewed with anacid-reducing filter according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9B show waveforms depicting relationships between pH and one ormore variables, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described hereafter. It should be noted that thespecific embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description or asa limitation to the broader aspects discussed herein. One aspectdescribed in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarilylimited to that embodiment and can be practiced with any otherembodiment(s). The description herein is not intended to give adefinitive or limiting meaning of a particular term or aspect of thepresent systems, methods, or apparatuses disclosed in this document.

As used herein, “about” will be understood by persons of ordinary skillin the art and will vary to some extent depending upon the context inwhich it is used. If there are uses of the term which are not clear topersons of ordinary skill in the art, given the context in which it isused, “about” will mean up to plus or minus 10% of the particular term.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the elements (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, andeach separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the claims unless otherwise stated. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential.

Overview

The present technology includes an apparatus. In one or moreembodiments, the apparatus is an acid-reducing filter. In variousembodiments, the acid-reducing filter is specifically a coffee filter,which includes one or more acid-reducing elements. The presenttechnology includes one or more methods for preparing, producing, ormanufacturing the acid-reducing filter and/or the coffee filter andmethods of preparing an acid-reduced beverage using the acid-reducingfilter and/or the coffee filter.

In one or more embodiments, the present technology relates to a processfor preparing an acid-reduced beverage.

In one or more embodiments herein, a method of the present technologyincludes depositing a mineral blend layer that may include calciumcarbonate and magnesium carbonate in a weight ratio of about 1:10 toabout 10:1. For example, in at least one embodiment herein, the weightratio of calcium carbonate to magnesium carbonate may be about 1:10 to10:1, about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:4 to about 2:3, or any rangeincluding and/or in between any two of the preceding values. Suitableweight ratios include, but are not limited to, about 1:10, about 1:9,about 1:8, about 1:7, about 1:6, about 1:5, about 1:4, about 2:3, about1:3, about 1:2, about 1:1, about 2:1, about 3:1, about 3:2, about 4:1,about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1, about 8:1, about 9:1, about 10:1, andany range including and/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In any embodiment herein, a method of the present technology may includedepositing a coating layer that includes the insoluble fiber materials.For example, in any embodiment herein, the method may include depositinga coating layer to the filter substrate. In any embodiment herein, themethod may include depositing a coating layer onto the mineral blendlayer. The method, in any embodiment herein, may include depositing oneor more coating layers. For example, the method may include depositing afirst coating layer to the filter substrate, depositing the mineralblend layer on to the first coating layer, and depositing a secondcoating layer to the mineral blend layer, where the mineral blend layeris disposed between the first and the second coating layers.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter obtained from themethods as described herein in any embodiment may include the mineralblend layer from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %. For example, in anyembodiment herein, the amount of the mineral blend layer in theacid-reducing filter may be about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %,about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %,about 9 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt%, about 14 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18wt %, about 19 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 21 wt %, about 22 wt %, about23 wt %, about 24 wt %, about 25 wt %, or any range including and/or inbetween any two of the preceding values.

In an aspect, the present technology provides a method for preparing theacid-reducing filter that includes combining a mineral blend and asolvent to obtain a material matrix; depositing a layer of the materialmatrix to a substrate; and separating the solvent from the materialmatrix; where the mineral blend includes calcium carbonate, magnesiumcarbonate, and insoluble fiber materials, the mineral blend has a weightratio of calcium carbonate to magnesium carbonate of about 1:10 to about10:1 by weight of the mineral blend, and the mineral blend is insolublein water.

In any embodiment herein, the method includes combining a mineral blendas described herein in any embodiment with a solvent to obtain amaterial matrix. The material matrix, in any embodiment, may be asuspension, slurry or the like where the mineral blend is insoluble inthe solvent. In any embodiment herein, the solvent may include, but arenot limited to, protic solvents in which calcium carbonate, magnesiumcarbonate, and the insoluble fiber materials are insoluble. Suitableprotic solvents may include, but are not limited to, alcohols, ammonia,a secondary amino compound, water, or a mixture of any two or morethereof. In any embodiment herein, the protic solvent may include water,such as deionized water.

While specific solvents have been disclosed, numerous other solvent thatwould be known to those having ordinary skill in the art having thepresent disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use. In anyembodiment herein, the solvent may include water.

In any embodiment herein, the method of the present technology includesdepositing a mineral blend layer that may include calcium carbonate andmagnesium carbonate in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1. Forexample, in any embodiment herein, the weight ratio of calcium carbonateto magnesium carbonate may be about 1:10 to 10:1, about 1:5 to about5:1, about 1:4 to about 2:3, or any range including and/or in betweenany two of the preceding values. The mineral blend may include calciumcarbonate in an amounts as described herein in any embodiment; forexample, the calcium carbonate may be present in an amount from about 25wt % to about 40 wt %. The mineral blend may include magnesium carbonatein an amount as described herein in any embodiment, for example, fromabout 60 wt % to about 75 wt %.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may include insoluble fibermaterials including, but not limited to, virgin bleached cellulosefibers, virgin unbleached cellulose fibers, recycled unbleachedcellulose fibers, hemp, synthetic fibers, biofibers (e.g., biopolymers,cotton, silk, or the like), or mixtures of two or more thereof.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend layer is insoluble. Forexample, in any embodiment herein, the mineral blend layer may notinclude materials that are soluble in water. In any embodiment herein,the mineral blend layer may not include soluble halide or hydroxidesalts of alkali or alkaline earth metals. For example, in any embodimentherein, the mineral blend may not include water soluble halide orhydroxide salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may further includeinsoluble salts or additives as described herein in any embodiment. Forexample, in any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may include one ormore insoluble salts including, but not limited to, calcium stearate,calcium fluoride, magnesium stearate, magnesium fluoride, or mixtures oftwo or more thereof. The insoluble salts may be included in the mineralblend in an amount from 0 wt % to about 15 wt %. In any embodimentherein, the mineral blend may include one or more additives including,but not limited to, retention aids, wet strength additives, or the likeor combinations thereof. The one or more additives may be included inthe mineral blend in an amount from 0 wt % to about 15 wt %.

In any embodiment herein, the method includes depositing the materialmatrix to a substrate. For example, in any embodiment herein, thesubstrate may include a grate, fine mesh material, or the like orcombinations thereof. In any embodiment herein, the substrate may be afine mesh material. For example, in any embodiment herein, the fine meshmaterial may include, but is not limited to, felt, wool, micron-gradefilter paper, non-woven water-permeable fibrous material, or the like orcombinations of two or more thereof. Suitable micron-grade filter papersinclude, but are not limited to, coffee filter paper.

In any embodiment herein, the method includes separating the solventfrom the material matrix to obtain the acid-reducing filter. Forexample, the separating may include removing the solvent by gravityfiltration, vacuum filtration, or the like or combinations thereof.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter obtained from themethod as described herein in any embodiment may include the mineralblend layer from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %. For example, in anyembodiment herein, the amount of the mineral blend layer in theacid-reducing filter may be about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %,about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %,about 9 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt%, about 14 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18wt %, about 19 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 21 wt %, about 22 wt %, about23 wt %, about 24 wt %, about 25 wt %, or any range including and/or inbetween any two of the preceding values.

The acid-reducing filters prepared according to the present technologyexhibit flow properties suitable for conventional beverage brewingmethods. In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filters preparedaccording to the methods described herein in any embodiment exhibit aflow rate of about 0.5 mL/s to about 5 mL/s. For example, in anyembodiment, the acid-reducing filters exhibit a flow rate of about 0.5mL/s, about 0.6 mL/s, about 0.7 mL/s, about 0.8 mL/s, about 0.9 mL/s,about 1 mL/s, about 1.2 mL/s, about 1.4 mL/s, about 1.6 mL/s, about 1.8mL/s, about 2 mL/s, about 2.2 mL/s, about 2.4 mL/s, about 2.6 mL/s,about 2.8 mL/s, about 3 mL/s, about 3.2 mL/s, about 3.4 mL/s, about 3.6mL/s, about 3.8 mL/s, about 4 mL/s, about 4.2 mL/s, about 4.4 mL/s,about 4.6 mL/s, about 4.8 mL/s, about 5 mL/s, or any range includingand/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filters prepared accordingto the methods described herein in any embodiment exhibit a flow rate ofabout 5 mL/s to about 10 mL/s. For example, in any embodiment, theacid-reducing filters exhibit a flow rate of about 5 mL/s, about 5.5mL/s, about 5.6 mL/s, about 5.7 mL/s, about 5.8 mL/s, about 5.9 mL/s,about 6 mL/s, about 6.2 mL/s, about 6.4 mL/s, about 6.6 mL/s, about 6.8mL/s, about 7 mL/s, about 7.2 mL/s, about 7.4 mL/s, about 7.6 mL/s,about 7.8 mL/s, about 8 mL/s, about 8.2 mL/s, about 8.4 mL/s, about 8.6mL/s, about 8.8 mL/s, about 9 mL/s, about 9.2 mL/s, about 9.4 mL/s,about 9.6 mL/s, about 9.8 mL/s, about 10.0 mL/s, or any range includingand/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filters prepared accordingto the methods described herein in any embodiment exhibit a flow rate ofabout 10 mL/s to about 20 mL/s. For example, in any embodiment, theacid-reducing filters exhibit a flow rate of about 10 mL/s, about 10.5mL/s, about 10.6 mL/s, about 10.7 mL/s, about 10.8 mL/s, about 10.9mL/s, about 11 mL/s, about 11.2 mL/s, about 11.4 mL/s, about 11.6 mL/s,about 11.8 mL/s, about 12 mL/s, about 12.2 mL/s, about 12.4 mL/s, about12.6 mL/s, about 12.8 mL/s, about 13 mL/s, about 13.2 mL/s, about 13.4mL/s, about 13.6 mL/s, about 13.8 mL/s, about 14 mL/s, about 14.2 mL/s,about 14.4 mL/s, about 14.6 mL/s, about 14.8 mL/s, about 15 mL/s, about15.2 mL/s, about 15.4 mL/s, about 15.6 mL/s, about 15.8 mL/s, about 16mL/s, about 16.2 mL/s, about 16.4 mL/s, about 16.6 mL/s, about 16.8mL/s, about 17 mL/s, about 17.2 mL/s, about 17.4 mL/s, about 17.6 mL/s,about 17.8 mL/s, about 18 mL/s, about 18.2 mL/s, about 18.4 mL/s, about18.6 mL/s, about 18.8 mL/s, about 19 mL/s, about 19.2 mL/s, about 19.4mL/s, about 19.6 mL/s, about 19.8 mL/s, about 20 mL/s or any rangeincluding and/or in between any two of the preceding values.

The acid-reducing filters prepared according to the present technologyexhibit permeability properties suitable for conventional brewingmethods. In various embodiments herein, an acid-reducing filter of thepresent technology may exhibit a filter permeability from about 1.7×10⁻⁸cm² to about 5.6×10⁻⁷ cm². For example, in any embodiment herein, themagnitude of the filter permeability may be about 1.7×10⁻⁸ cm², about2.5×10⁻⁸ cm², about 2.8×10⁻⁸ cm², about 3.2×10⁻⁸ cm², about 4.2×10⁻⁸cm², about 5.6×10⁻⁷ cm², or any range including and/or in between anytwo of the preceding values. In at least one embodiment, anacid-reducing filter of the present technology may include a mineralblend (e.g., in a mineral blend layer and/or integrally formed into asubstrate of the acid-reducing filter) including 60 wt % MgCO₃ and 40 wt% CaCO₃, wherein the acid-reducing filter exhibits a filter permeabilityof about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm². In some embodiments, the permeability of theprevious sentence may be exhibited by one or more acid-reducing filtersincluding a mineral blend, wherein the mineral blend includes calciumcarbonate in an amount from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % and magnesiumcarbonate in an amount from about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %.

It is believed that decreasing the acidity of liquid beverages, such ascoffee or tea, improves the taste of the beverage. For example,additives like milk are often added to coffee or tea to increase the pHof the beverages. The acid-reducing filters prepared according to thepresent technology increase the pH of a liquid beverage. In anyembodiment herein, the acid-reducing filters prepared according to themethods of the present technology may increase pH by about 0.3 to about1.5 units higher than a liquid beverage prepared without theacid-reducing filter. For example, in any embodiment herein, theacid-reduced liquid beverage may have a change in pH of about 0.3 units,about 0.4 units, about 0.5 units, about 0.6 units, about 0.7 units,about 0.8 units, about 0.9 units, about 1 unit, about 1.1 units, about1.2 units, about 1.3 units, about 1.4 units, about 1.5 units, or anyrange including and/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In an aspect, the preset technology includes an acid-reducing filterprepared according to any of the methods described herein in anyembodiment. For example, in any embodiment herein, the acid-reducingfilter includes a substrate, a mineral blend that includes calciumcarbonate and magnesium carbonate, where the mineral blend layer ispresent in an amount from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt % of theacid-reducing filter, and the calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonateare present in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to 10:1 of the mineral blendlayer.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter includes a mineralblend layer that may include calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonatein a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1. For example, in anyembodiment herein, the weight ratio of calcium carbonate to magnesiumcarbonate in the mineral blend layer may be about 1:10 to 10:1, about1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:4 to about 2:3, or any range including and/orin between any two of the preceding values. The mineral blend mayinclude calcium carbonate in an amount as described herein in anyembodiment; for example, the calcium carbonate may be present in anamount from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %. The mineral blend mayinclude magnesium carbonate in an amount as described herein in anyembodiment, for example, from about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may further includeinsoluble fiber materials including, but not limited to, virgin bleachedcellulose fibers, virgin unbleached cellulose fibers, recycledunbleached cellulose fibers, hemp, synthetic fibers (such as Nylon),biofibers (e.g., biopolymers, cotton, silk, or the like), or mixtures oftwo or more thereof.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend layer is insoluble. Forexample, in any embodiment herein, the mineral blend layer does notinclude materials that are soluble in water. In any embodiment herein,the mineral blend layer does not include soluble halide or hydroxidesalts of alkali or alkaline earth metals. For example, in any embodimentherein, the mineral blend does not include water soluble halide orhydroxide salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may further includeinsoluble salts or additives as described herein in any embodiment. Forexample, in any embodiment herein, the mineral blend may include one ormore insoluble salts including, but not limited to, calcium stearate,calcium fluoride, magnesium stearate, magnesium fluoride, or mixtures oftwo or more thereof. The insoluble salts may be included in the mineralblend in an amount from 0 wt % to about 15 wt %. In any embodimentherein, the mineral blend may include one or more additives including,but not limited to, retention aids, wet strength additives, or the likeor combinations thereof. The one or more additives may be included inthe mineral blend in an amount from 0 wt % to about 15 wt %.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter may include one ormore coating layers that include an insoluble fiber material asdescribed herein in any embodiment. For example, in any embodimentherein, the acid-reducing filter may include a coating layer on thefilter substrate. In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter mayinclude a coating layer on the mineral blend layer. In any embodimentherein, the acid-reducing filter may include a first coating layer and asecond coating layer, where the mineral blend layer is disposing betweenthe first coating layer and the second coating layer.

In any embodiment herein, the acid-reducing filter may include themineral blend layer from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %. For example, inany embodiment herein, the amount of the mineral blend layer in theacid-reducing filter may be about 1 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 3 wt %,about 4 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 8 wt %,about 9 wt %, about 10 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 13 wt%, about 14 wt %, about 15 wt %, about 16 wt %, about 17 wt %, about 18wt %, about 19 wt %, about 20 wt %, about 21 wt %, about 22 wt %, about23 wt %, about 24 wt %, about 25 wt %, or any range including and/or inbetween any two of the preceding values.

In a related aspect, the present technology includes a process forpreparing an acid-reduced liquid beverage that includes: contacting asolid beverage material with an acid-reducing filter; contacting thesolid beverage material and acid-reducing filter with a liquid to form abeverage matrix including the solid beverage material and liquid; andseparating the solid beverage material from the beverage matrix toobtain the acid-reduced liquid beverage; where the acid-reducing filteris prepared according to any method described herein in any embodiment,and the liquid beverage has a change in pH of about 0.3 to about 1.5 pHunits higher than a liquid beverage prepared without the acid-reducingfilter.

In any embodiment herein, the solid beverage material may include, butis not limited to, coffee beans, coffee grounds, tea leaves, or thelike. In any embodiment herein, the liquid is water.

In any embodiment herein, following separating the solid beveragematerial from the beverage matrix, the acid-reduced liquid beverage isobtained. In any embodiment herein, the acid-reduced liquid beverage hasa pH of about 0.3 to about 1.5 units higher than a liquid beverageprepared without the acid-reducing filter. For example, in anyembodiment herein, the acid-reduced liquid beverage may have a change inpH of about 0.3 units, about 0.4 units, about 0.5 units, about 0.6units, about 0.7 units, about 0.8 units, about 0.9 units, about 1 unit,about 1.1 units, about 1.2 units, about 1.3 units, about 1.4 units,about 1.5 units, or any range including and/or in between any two of thepreceding values.

The present invention, thus generally described, will be understood morereadily by reference to the following figures, which are provided by wayof illustration and are not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention.

In any embodiment described herein or otherwise, the acid-reducingfilter may specifically be a coffee filter. In any such embodiment, thecoffee filter may present one or more of any properties, elements, andappearances detailed in the description of the acid-reducing filter.Further, in any such embodiment, the coffee filter may be fabricated byone or more of any methods detailed in the description of the one ormore methods for fabrication of the acid-reducing filter.

For the purposes of clarity, an acid-reducing filter discussed hereinmay be produced by one or more methods. In some embodiments, the one ormore methods may include integrally combining a mineral blend (e.g., asdescribed herein) and a filter substrate (e.g., as described herein) ina manner such that a homogenous mixture is formed. In at least oneembodiment, an acid-reducing filter formed from the homogenous mixturemay present the mineral blend as an integral, homogenously distributedstructural component. In various embodiments, wherein the mineral blendis integrally and homogenously combined with the substrate, and theacid-reducing filter is formed from the homogenous mixture, the mineralblend may include one or more of the mineral blend layer properties(e.g., wt %, ratios, etc.) described herein.

In one or more other embodiments, the mineral blend may be added to anexisting filter as at least one mineral blend layer deposited onto theexisting filter.

As will be understood from the discussion above and herein, thisdisclosure contemplates at least stand-alone filters with an integrallyformed mineral layer, a mineral blend layer that can be added to anexisting filter, and a mineral blend layer that can be added to asingle-serve beverage container,

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an acid-reducing filter 100. Asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the acid reducing filter 100 includesa substrate 101. In FIG. 1, the substrate 101 is coffee filter paper;however, the acid-reducing filter 100 may be produced from a variety ofsubstrate materials. Suitable substrate materials for the production ofthe acid-reducing filter 100 may include, but are not limited to: 1)micron-grade, non-woven water-permeable filter paper, such as coffeefilter paper; 2) felt material, wherein the material is formed into awater-permeable grate and/or screen; 3) wool material, wherein thematerial is formed into a water-permeable grate and/or screen; 4)micron-grade filter paper; 5) one or more other fibrous materials,wherein the one or more other fibrous materials may be formed into awater-permeable grate and/or screen; and 6) cheese cloth, or the like.In various embodiments, the non-woven water-permeable filter paper maybe coffee filter paper, tea bag, or the like.

In various embodiments, the substrate 101 forms a grate and/or mesh inwhich water may pass through. In one or more embodiments, the substrate101 (grate and/or mesh) is capable of obstructing and/or otherwisepreventing the passage of solid particles through the grate and/or mesh(e.g., particles of a minimum diameter). In at least one aspect, thesubstrate 101 includes a complex matrix of interwoven fibers that form agrate and/or mesh configuration, which may prevent the obstruction orprevention of solid particle passage.

In various embodiments, the substrate 101 is of a general shape capableof holding solid beverage material. In at least one embodiment, theshape of the substrate 101 may meet one or more criteria including, butnot limited to: 1) a generally flat bottom; and 2) one or more sidewalls, wherein the interior angle between the walls and a top surface ofthe generally flat bottom is obtuse. In one or more embodiments, thegeneral shape of the substrate 101 may be a solid of revolution.

As will be understood from discussions herein, in one or moreembodiments, the acid reducing filter 100 may be filled with anysuitable solid beverage material, including, but not limited to, coffeebeans, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and/or other solid beveragematerials.

In various embodiments, the acid reducing filter 100 includes a mineralblend layer 103. As will be understood from discussions herein, themineral blend layer 103 may reduce the acidity of a beverage createdwith the acid-reducing filter 100. In one or more embodiments, themineral blend layer 103 is deposited and/or oriented onto the substrate101, by one or more methods described herein (or other methods). In oneor more embodiments, the mineral blend layer 103 may be disposed on thetop surface of the generally flat bottom of the substrate 101.

In various embodiments, the mineral blend layer 103 includes one or moremineral components at a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1. In oneor more embodiments, the one or more mineral components may be calciumcarbonate and magnesium carbonate respectively. In one or moreembodiments, the weight ratio of calcium carbonate to magnesiumcarbonate may be about 1:10 to 10:1, about 1:5 to about 5:1, about 1:4to about 2:3, or any range including and/or in between any two of thepreceding values. Suitable weight ratios may include, but are notlimited to, about 1:10, about 1:9, about 1:8, about 1:7, about 1:6,about 1:5, about 1:4, about 2:3, about 1:3, about 1:2, about 1:1, about2:1, about 3:1, about 3:2, about 4:1, about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1,about 8:1, about 9:1, about 10:1, and any range including and/or inbetween any two of the preceding values.

In various embodiments, the mineral blend layer 103 may include calciumcarbonate in an amount from about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %. In one ormore embodiments, the amount of calcium carbonate in the mineral blendlayer 103 may be about 25 wt %, about 26 wt %, about 27 wt %, about 28wt %, about 29 wt %, about 30 wt %, about 31 wt %, about 32 wt %, about33 wt %, about 34 wt %, about 35 wt %, about 36 wt %, about 37 wt %,about 38 wt %, about 39 wt %, about 40 wt %, or any range includingand/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In various embodiments, the mineral blend layer 103 may includemagnesium carbonate in an amount from about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %. Inone or more embodiments, the amount of magnesium carbonate in themineral blend layer 103 may be about 60 wt %, about 61 wt %, about 62 wt%, about 63 wt %, about 64 wt %, about 65 wt %, about 66 wt %, about 67wt %, about 68 wt %, about 69 wt %, about 70 wt %, about 71 wt %, about72 wt %, about 73 wt %, about 74 wt %, about 75 wt %, or any rangeincluding and/or in between any two of the preceding values.

In various embodiments, the mineral blend layer 103 may be insoluble ina suitable solvent, such as water. As used herein, the term “insoluble”refers to a property of one or more components (e.g., magnesiumcarbonate and calcium carbonate) that have little to no solubility inwater or other suitable solvent as described herein. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more components that may be insoluble in watermay have a solubility that is less than about 1000 mg/L, about 900 mg/L,about 800 mg/L, about 700 mg/L, about 600 mg/L, about 500 mg/L, about400 mg/L, about 300 mg/L, about 200 mg/L, about 100 mg/L, about 90 mg/L,about 80 mg/L, about 70 mg/L, about 60 mg/L, about 50 mg/L, about 40mg/L, about 30 mg/L, about 20 mg/L, about 10 mg/L, about 5 mg/L, 0 mg/L(or any range including and/or in between any two of the precedingvalues) at a temperature of 25° C. In one or more embodiments, themineral blend 103 may be absent of any and all soluble halide and/or orhydroxide salts of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals.

In various embodiments, the mineral blend 103 may include one or moreadditional insoluble (or soluble) materials. In one or more embodiments,the mineral blend 103 may further include insoluble fiber materials. Inat least one embodiment, the insoluble fiber materials may include, butare not limited to: 1) virgin bleached cellulose fibers; 2) virginunbleached cellulose fibers; 3) recycled unbleached cellulose fibers; 4)hemp; 5) synthetic fibers; 6) nylon; 7) biofibers (e.g., biopolymers,cotton, silk, or the like); and 8) mixtures of two or more insolublefiber materials.

In various embodiments, the one or more additional insoluble materialsmay include one or more insoluble salts. In one or more embodiments, theone or more insoluble salts may include, but are not limited to: 1)calcium stearate; 2) calcium fluoride; 3) magnesium stearate; 4)magnesium fluoride; 5) other insoluble salts; and 6) mixtures of two ormore thereof and/or other insoluble salts not listed. The one or moreinsoluble salts may be included in the mineral blend 103 in an amountfrom 0 wt % to about 15 wt %. In at least one embodiment, the amount ofinsoluble salts included in the mineral blend layer 103 may be about0.01 wt %, about 0.1 wt %, about 0.2 wt %, about 0.3 wt %, about 0.4 wt%, about 0.5 wt %, about 0.6 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, about 0.8 wt %, about0.9 wt %, about 1 wt %, about 1.5 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 2.5 wt %,about 3 wt %, about 3.5 wt %, about 4 wt %, about 4.5 wt %, about 5 wt%, about 5.5 wt %, about 6 wt %, about 6.5 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 7.5wt %, about 8 wt %, about 8.5 wt %, about 9 wt %, about 9.5 wt %, about10 wt %, about 10.5 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 11.5 wt %, about 12 wt %,about 12.5 wt %, about 13 wt %, about 13.5 wt %, about 14 wt %, about14.5 wt %, about 15 wt %, or any range including and/or in between anytwo of the preceding values.

In one or more embodiments, the suitable solvent may refer to, but isnot limited to, one or more protic solvents, wherein calcium carbonate,magnesium carbonate, and an insoluble fiber materials are insoluble inthe one or more protic solvents. The one or more protic solvents mayinclude, but are not limited to; 1) alcohols; 2) ammonia; 3) a secondaryamino compound; 4) water; and 5) a mixture of any two or more thereof.In any embodiment herein, the protic solvent may include water, such asdeionized water. While specific solvents have been disclosed, numerousother solvents are contemplated for use with the systems and methodsherein.

In any embodiment herein, the mineral blend layer 103 may include one ormore additives. In various embodiments, the one or more additives mayinclude, but are not limited to: 1) retention aids; 2) wet strengthadditives; and 3) combinations of two or more thereof and/or otheradditives not listed. In one or more embodiments, the one or moreadditives may include, but are not limited to: 1)Polyamidoamine-Epichlorohydrin Resin; 2) Polyamine-EpichlorohydrinResins; 3) Cationic Gloxylated Resins; 4) Urea-Formaldehyde; 5)Melamine-Formaldehyde; 7) Alkylketene Dimers (AKD); 8) AlkenylsuccinicAnhydride (ASA); and 9) any combination of the above and/or otheradditives not listed. In at least one embodiment, the one or moreadditives may be included in the mineral blend layer 103 in an amountfrom 0 wt % to about 15 wt %. In various embodiments, the amount of theone or more additives in the mineral blend may be about 0.01 wt %, about0.1 wt %, about 0.2 wt %, about 0.3 wt %, about 0.4 wt %, about 0.5 wt%, about 0.6 wt %, about 0.7 wt %, about 0.8 wt %, about 0.9 wt %, about1 wt %, about 1.5 wt %, about 2 wt %, about 2.5 wt %, about 3 wt %,about 3.5 wt %, about 4 wt %, about 4.5 wt %, about 5 wt %, about 5.5 wt%, about 6 wt %, about 6.5 wt %, about 7 wt %, about 7.5 wt %, about 8wt %, about 8.5 wt %, about 9 wt %, about 9.5 wt %, about 10 wt %, about10.5 wt %, about 11 wt %, about 11.5 wt %, about 12 wt %, about 12.5 wt%, about 13 wt %, about 13.5 wt %, about 14 wt %, about 14.5 wt %, about15 wt %, or any range including and/or in between any two of thepreceding values.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary scanning electron microscopy (SEM)image 200A of an unmodified cellulose filter (e.g., a paper filter)taken at 200 μm magnification. In an SEM image, acid-reducing particles,such as those described herein, generally present as one or more whitespecks attached to one or more fibers. It is noted that the image 200Aincludes none of the one or more white specks; therefore, the image 200Ainfers that unmodified cellulose filters do not present an acid-reducingeffect.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary SEM image 200B of an acid-reducingfilter, such as the acid-reducing filter 100 of FIG. 1, taken at 200 μmmagnification. As shown in FIG. 2B, the acid reducing filter 200Bincludes one or more white specks 201B attached to one or more fibers.Thus, and in various embodiments, the one or more white specks 201B areacid-reducing particles, such as those described herein. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more white specks 201B indicate a mineral blendlayer, such as the mineral layer 103 of FIG. 1. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more white specks 201B may include calciumcarbonate, magnesium carbonate, and/or other acid-reducing mineralcomponents in any proportion described herein.

In various embodiments, acid-reducing particles of the mineral blendlayer (shown as one more white specks 201B in FIG. 2B) present aparticle size in the range of 2-100 μm. In one or more embodiments, themineral blend layer includes calcium carbonate particles of about 2-10μm. In one or more embodiments the mineral blend layer includesmagnesium carbonate particles of about 35-100 μm in size (e.g., 30 μm,35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm, 65 μm, 70 μm, 75 μm, etc.).

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus 300 which may characterize one ormore properties, parameters, and/or relations pertaining to one or morefilters. In various embodiments, the one or more filters characterizedby a method, such as one or more of the testing methods furtherdescribed herein, may include, but are not limited to: 1) unmodifiedfilters of any and/or all compositions; 2) acid-reducing filters of anyand/or all compositions described herein and/or otherwise; and 3) anyand/or all acid-reducing filters fabricated by any and/or all methodsdescribed herein and/or otherwise. In various embodiments, the apparatus300 may be constructed according to ASTM D5084-16a (FIG. 1).

In various embodiments, the apparatus 300 includes an intake section301. In one or more embodiments, a general shape of the intake section301 may include a solid of revolution, wherein the solid of revolutionis open at both ends and the diameter at the top of the solid ofrevolution is greater than the diameter at the bottom of the solid ofrevolution. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 300 furtherincludes a column 303. In one or more embodiments, the column 303includes a cylinder shape open at both ends, wherein one end isoperatively connected to the bottom end of the intake section 301.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 300 further includes a flange 305.One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a flange generallyrefers to a disc, collar or ring attached to a column, such as thecolumn 303. In various embodiments, the flange 305 enables attachment ofone or more items, such as the filter 100 of FIG. 1, in an interiorsection of the flange 305. In one or more embodiments, the flange 305 isopen at both ends and is operatively connected to the bottom end of thecolumn 303 (e.g., the end of the column 303 which is not operativelyconnected to the intake section 301). In one or more embodiments, afilter, such as the acid reducing filter 100 of FIG. 1, may be insertedinto an interior section of the flange 305 in a manner such that asurface of the filter inserted is oriented orthogonal to the column 303.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 300 further includes a flowcontrol section 307. In one or more embodiments, the flow controlsection includes a length of piping and a stopcock. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize stopcock generally refers to anexternally operated valve regulating the flow of a liquid or gas througha pipe. In one or more embodiments, the flow control section 307 is openat both ends, wherein one end is operatively connected to the flange305. In one or more embodiments, the end of the flow control section 307not operatively connected to the flange 305 may constitute an output309. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 300 and all portionsincluded therein may be sequentially and operatively connected in amanner such that a fluid may flow into the apparatus 300 via the intakesection 301, flow through the column 303, flow through the flange 305,flow through the flow control section 307, wherein the stopcock isoriented in a manner such that it does not obstruct flow of the fluid,and flow out of the apparatus 300 via the output 309. In variousembodiments, the apparatus 300 enables controlled flow of the liquid,including the rate of flow, via the stopcock of the flow section 307.

FIG. 4 illustrates flowcharts showing one or more exemplary methods forproduction of an acid-reducing filter according to one embodiment. FIG.4A illustrates a first exemplary method, “spray coat deposition” 400Afor production of an acid-reducing filter, such as the acid-reducingfilter 100 of FIG. 1. In at least one embodiment, a user performs one ormore steps. In one or more embodiments, the user may be a person, amachine, and/or a combination. In various embodiments, at step 402A, theuser makes a slurry. In at least one embodiment, the slurry includes oneor more mineral components, including the one or more mineral componentsdescribed previously (such as in FIG. 1). In one or more embodiments,the slurry may include calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Invarious embodiments, the slurry made in step 402A includes the calciumcarbonate and magnesium carbonate components in one or more weightratios and/or mixes described previously herein. In at least oneembodiments, the user at step 402A makes a slurry through thecombination of the one or more mineral components and water.

In at least one embodiment, the slurry of step 402A may include about33% calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and about 67% magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).In one embodiment, the slurry of step 402A may contain about 1 g of themineral components in water. In one or more embodiments, a ratio ofmineral components and water may be calibrated to enable greater orweaker acid-reducing effects in the acid-reducing filter. In one or moreembodiments, a greater ratio of mineral components to water may enable agreater acid-reducing effect in the acid-reducing filter.

In various embodiments, at 404A the user spray coats the slurry of step402A onto a filter substrate, such as the filter substrate 101 of FIG.1, thus forming a mineral blend layer. In one or more embodiments, spraycoating of step 404A may continue until a point of sufficient saturationof the filter substrate is reached. In at least one embodiment, theacid-reducing filter is formed upon reaching the point of sufficientsaturation. In at least one embodiment, the point of sufficientsaturation may occur when the mineral blend layer includes a thicknessof about 180 μm. In various embodiments, the user awaits drying of thespray coated and newly formed mineral blend layer, such as the mineralblend layer 103 of FIG. 1, before collecting the resulting acid-reducingfilter.

FIG. 4B illustrates a second exemplary method, “vacuum deposition” 400Bfor producing an acid-reducing filter according to one embodiment. Invarious embodiments, at step 402B, the user makes a slurry as describedpreviously herein. In one or more embodiments, at step 404B the userblends filter paper and water into a cellulose suspension. One ofordinary skill in the art may recognize that filter paper generallyincludes cellulose material, and may further recognize that blending, asdescribed herein, includes, but is not limited to: 1) combination offilter paper and a measure of suitable solvent in a blending machine(e.g., a blender); 2) agitation and disintegration of filter paper bythe blending machine, wherein single filter paper is essentially reducedto its component cellulose fibers; and 3) suspension of the resultingcellulose fibers in the measure of suitable solvent. In at least oneembodiment, the measure of suitable solvent may be 175 ml per singleunit of filter paper utilized. In various embodiments, the suitablesolvent may be the one or more suitable solvents described previouslyherein. In at least one embodiment, step 404B may occur prior and/orsimultaneously to step 402B.

In various embodiments, at step 406B the user combines and mixes theslurry of step 402B and the cellulose suspension of 404B, thus forming aslurry-cellulose mixture. In one or more embodiments, the slurry and thecellulose suspension may be combined at a volumetric ratio of about 1:10to about 10:1. In various embodiments, the volumetric ratio of slurry tocellulose suspension may be about 1:10 to 10:1, about 1:5 to about 5:1,about 1:4 to about 2:3, or any range including and/or in between any twoof the preceding values. Suitable volumetric ratios may include, but arenot limited to, about 1:10, about 1:9, about 1:8, about 1:7, about 1:6,about 1:5, about 1:4, about 2:3, about 1:3, about 1:2, about 1:1, about2:1, about 3:1, about 3:2, about 4:1, about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1,about 8:1, about 9:1, about 10:1, and any range including and/or inbetween any two of the preceding values.

In various embodiments, at step 408B, the user attaches a polylacticacid (PLA) mesh screen to a funnel, forming a funnel-mesh combination,and inserts the funnel-mesh combination into a vacuum flask. In at leastone embodiment, the PLA mesh screen may be attached to the funnel viaadhesives, such as silicone. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a funnel generally includes a solid of revolution, wherein thesolid of revolution is open at both ends and the diameter at the top ofthe solid of revolution is greater than the diameter at the bottom ofthe solid of revolution. In one or more embodiments, dimensions of thePLA mesh screen may be calibrated in a manner such that PLA mesh screengenerally sheathes the interior surface of the funnel. In at least oneaspect, the interior surface of the funnel referred to herein includesthe section of the overall funnel interior surface between the sectionof the funnel presenting the largest diameter, proceeded by a taperingdiameter, (e.g., the intake of the funnel) and the start of the sectionpresenting the smallest diameter (e.g., the output of the funnel).

In various embodiments, the vacuum flask into which the funnel-meshcombination is inserted is selected according to one or more physicalcriteria. In one or more embodiments, the one or more physical criteriamay include a diameter of the flask opening that is greater than thediameter of the bottom of the funnel-mesh combination, but is less thanthe diameter of the top of the funnel-mesh combination.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that vacuum flask mayinclude a thick-walled Erlenmeyer flask with a short glass tube and hosebarb protruding some distance from the neck of the flask. One ofordinary skill in the art will further recognize that the short tube andhose barb effectively act as an adapter over which the end of athick-walled flexible hose (tubing) can be fitted to form a connectionto the flask. One of ordinary skill in the art will even furtherrecognize the other end of the hose can be connected to a source ofvacuum such as an aspirator, vacuum pump, or house vacuum for thepurposes of forming a negative pressure within the inner volume of thevacuum flask upon activation of the source of vacuum.

In various embodiments, at step 410B the user places a filter substrate,such as the filter substrate 101 of FIG. 1 described herein, into thefunnel-mesh combination of 408B, which had been inserted into the vacuumflask in step 408B. In one or more embodiments, the filter substrate mayinclude criteria similar to the criteria of the general shape describedpreviously in FIG. 1. In at least one embodiment, the shape of thefilter substrate placed in 410B may be a solid of revolution whichgenerally conforms to the shape of the funnel-mesh combination in amanner such that the filter substrate generally sheathes the interiorsurface of the funnel-mesh combination. In at least one aspect, theinterior surface of the funnel-mesh combination referred to hereinincludes the same corresponding sections referred to in the abovedescription of the interior surface of the funnel. In at least oneembodiment, step 408B and step 410B may happen, in order, before and/orsimultaneously to steps 402B-406B.

In various embodiments, at step 412B the user pours the slurry-cellulosemixture of step 406B onto the filter substrate of step 410B. In one ormore embodiments, the slurry-cellulose mixture may be poured in such amanner that a mineral blend layer, such as the mineral blend layer 103of FIG. 1 described herein, is formed on top of the bottom surface ofthe filter substrate (e.g., the generally flat surface of the filtersubstrate which is not in contact with the PLA mesh screen).

In various embodiments, at step 414B a user connects a vacuum source(e.g., an aspirator, pump, etc.) to the vacuum flask of steps 408B,410B, and 412B (e.g., via a properly dimensioned hose) and, followingconnection, activates the vacuum source. In one or more embodiments, thevacuum source produces a negative pressure in the interior volume of thevacuum flask. In at least one embodiment, the negative pressure in theinterior volume causes aspiration of one or more liquid components ofthe slurry-cellulose mixture through the filter substrate and the PLAmesh screen, and into the interior volume of the vacuum flask. In one ormore embodiments, the vacuum source may remain activated until theentirety of the one or more liquid components are aspirated out of theslurry-cellulose mixture.

In at least one aspect, the aspiration of the one or more liquidcomponents of the slurry-cellulose mixture results in a solid mineralblend layer, such as the mineral blend layer 103 described in FIG. 1,dispersed onto the surface of the filter substrate. In variousembodiments, the solid mineral blend layer includes cellulose fibers andthe one or more mineral components, thus yielding an acid-reducingfilter. In at least one embodiment, the user awaits drying of the newlyformed mineral blend layer before collecting the resulting acid-reducingfilter.

FIG. 4C illustrates a third exemplary method “hand sheet preparation”400C for production of an acid-reducing filter, such as theacid-reducing filter 100 of FIG. 1, according to the present technology.In various embodiments, at step 402C the user tears one or more sheetsof pulp into small pieces. In one or more embodiments, the pulp sheetincludes southern pine fully bleached kraft pulp (e.g., virgin cellulosefiber). In at least one embodiment, the user tears the one or moresheets of pulp via manual and/or automatic processes.

In various embodiments, at step 404C the user soaks the small pieces inwater for a duration of soaking time and thus obtains wet pulp, whereinthe wet pulp contains cellulose fibers. In at least one embodiment, theduration of soaking time may be 4 hours. In one or more embodiments, atstep 406C the user disintegrates the wet pulp in a British disintegratorfor a duration of disintegrating time and thus obtains cellulose fiberslurry. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize Britishdisintegrators paddle, but do not shred one or more materials placedinside the British disintegrator. In one or more embodiments, theduration of disintegrating time may be 5 minutes.

In various embodiments, at step 408C the user adds one or more mineralcomponents, such as the one or more mineral components and correspondingproportions previously described herein, to the cellulose fiber slurryobtained in the step 406C and thus obtains a cellulose-mineral slurry.In at least one embodiment, the one or more mineral components, of step408C, include calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate. In one ormore embodiments, at step 410C the user stirs the cellulose-mineralslurry for a duration of stirring time. In one or more embodiments, theduration of stirring time may be 5 minutes.

In various embodiments, at step 412C the user prepares one or more handsheets via the Tappi standard procedure T205 om-88 from thecellulose-mineral slurry of step 410C. In one or more embodiments, theuser may obtain one or more aliquots of the cellulose-mineral slurry,wherein the one or more aliquots are of a specific mass. In one or moreembodiments, the specific mass may be 1.2 grams. In one or moreembodiments, the user may implement a Tappi standard hand sheet mold. Invarious embodiments, the user may evaluate, such as via ashing,retention of the one or more mineral components in the one or more handsheets produced via step 412C. In one or more embodiments, a retentionvalue may be expressed as a percentage and exemplary retention valuesmay be captured in Table 2 below, wherein one or more weight portionscorresponding with the one or more mineral components may be captured inTable 1 below. In various embodiments, one hand sheet for each dosagelevel of the mineral blend may be taken to determine ash content induplicate.

TABLE 1 Mineral dosage levels. Sample Mineral 1 2 3 4 MgCO₃, wt %* 13.7527.5 41.67 83.33 CaCO₃, wt %* 7.08 12.5 20.83 41.67 *based on fibermass: 60 g/m2 of fiber (Samples 1, 2, and 3), or 1.2 g of cellulosefiber per filter

TABLE 2 Ash and mineral retention of the hand sheets. Sample Ashcontent, % Retention, %* 1 4.1 22.4 2 8.4 24.8 3 11.7 24.8 4 21.2 27.5*Calculated as: ash weight/total mineral added * 100

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 depicting an exemplary method forfabrication of an acid-reduced filter, according to the presenttechnology. In at least one embodiment, a user performs one or moresteps. In one or more embodiments, the user may be a person, a machine,and/or a combination. At step 502 the user creates a mineral-insolublefiber blend via one or more of the methods described previously herein(e.g., one or more of the methods of FIG. 4 and other methods describedelsewhere herein). In various embodiments, the mineral-insoluble fiberblend may include one or more mineral components and one or moreinsoluble materials, each of the one or more respective components andmaterials being similar to those described previously herein. At step504 the user obtains a filter substrate. In one or more embodiments, thefilter substrate may be selected from the one or more filter substratesdescribed previously herein. In at least one embodiment, step 504 mayoccur before step 502 and/or simultaneously to step 502. At step 506 theuser deposits the mineral-insoluble fiber blend of step 502 onto thefilter substrate of step 504. In at least one embodiment, the userdeposits the insoluble fiber blend onto the filter substrate in a mannersuch that a layered structure is formed. In one or more embodiments, theuser may deposit the mineral-insoluble blend onto the filter substratevia one or more of the related methods previously described herein. Invarious embodiments, a product of step 506 may be an acid-reducingfilter, wherein the solvent of the mineral-insoluble blend is stillpresent. At step 508 the user removes (e.g., via aspiration) the solventfrom the acid reducing filter and/or dries the acid-reducing filter. Inat least one embodiment, a product of step 508 is an acid-reducingfilter according to the present technology.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 depicting an exemplary method forproducing an acid-reduced beverage, according to the present technology.In at least one embodiment, a user performs one or more steps. In one ormore embodiments, the user may be a person, a machine, and/or acombination. At 602 the user obtains an acid-reducing filter accordingto the present technology. In various embodiments, the acid reducingfilter may be obtained via fabrication. In one or more embodiments,fabrication of the acid-reducing filter may be conducted according toone or methods described previously herein. At step 604 the user obtainsa solid beverage material. In at least one embodiment, the solidbeverage material may include, but is not limited to, coffee beans,coffee grounds, tea leaves, or the like. In various embodiments, step604 may occur before step 602 and/or simultaneously to step 602.

At step 606 the user combines the beverage material and theacid-reducing filter. In one or more embodiments, the combination ofstep 606 may occur in a coffee brewing machine (e.g., a drip coffeebrewer, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the combination of step 606may occur in a single use cup (e.g., a single use beverage pod).

At step 608 the user contacts the filter and beverage material with aliquid. In various embodiments, the liquid may be water. In one or moreembodiments, the liquid may be-preheated. At step 610 the user forms abeverage matrix. In at least one embodiment, the user forms the beveragematrix via the coffee brewing machine of step 606 and/or a disparatecoffee brewing machine. In one or more embodiments, the beverage matrixmay include the solid beverage material of step 604 and a liquidbeverage material, wherein the liquid beverage material was created as aproduct of the step 608.

At step 612, the user separates the solid beverage material from theliquid beverage material. In various embodiments, the user separates thesolid and liquid beverage materials via an acid-reducing filter of thepresent technology, wherein the acid-reducing filter is fabricated viaone or more of the methods of the present technology. In one or moreembodiments, a product the step 612 is an acid-reduced beverageaccording to the present technology, and described previously herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates three waveforms depicting relationships between flowrate of liquid through, in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, an unmodified paperfilter and, in FIG. 7C, an acid-reducing filter according to the presenttechnology, and one or more variables. In various embodiments,characterization of flow rate through the acid-reducing filter, whichmay be produced from the unmodified paper filter in one or moreembodiments, is contributive to consistent production and performance ofthe acid-reducing filter, and the like. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize one or more cellulose and/or other fibrous components ofthe unmodified paper filter and the acid-reducing filter may absorbliquid (e.g., water) at a sufficient proportion such that flowproperties through the filter may be significantly changed. Aninconsistent flow rate through the acid-reducing filter may contributeto increased unpredictability of time required to produce the one ormore acid-reduced beverages. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize the one or more acid-reduced beverages, such as coffee, aregenerally expected to present a production time of 300-600 seconds per1000 ml serving (e.g., about 4 cups) of the one or more acid-reducedbeverages. One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize aflow rate through the acid-reducing filter may be dependent upon apressure of a fluid flowing through the acid-reducing filter and an areaof the acid-reducing filter through which the fluid flows. In at leastone embodiment, both the area of the acid-reducing filter and thepressure of the fluid are directly proportional to flow rate.

FIG. 7A illustrates a waveform 700A and relates the flow rate (e.g., inmL/s) of liquid water 702A through an unmodified paper filter to aduration of soaking time 704A (e.g., time in seconds) of the respectiveunmodified paper filter. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizesoaking generally refers to embodiment and saturation of the unmodifiedpaper filter by the liquid water. In various embodiments, a techniquefor producing experimental data required to produce the waveform 700Amay be the constant head method. In one or more embodiments, anapparatus, such as the apparatus 300 of FIG. 3 described herein,performs the technique, such as the constant head method.

In various embodiments, the constant head method, as related to relatingflow rate 702A and duration of soaking time 704A, includes severalsteps. Steps of the constant head method may include, but are notlimited to: 1) loading the testing apparatus with an unmodified paperfilter; 2) adding a 3D printed grate to the flange of the apparatus suchthat the filter is supported against sagging and/or stretching frompressures experienced during the test; 3) loading the testing apparatuspiping with liquid water; 4) opening the stopcock of the apparatus,allowing the liquid water to flow through the filter; 5) adding liquidwater to the apparatus in a manner such that the amount of liquid waterin the apparatus is constant; 6) collecting the outflow of the apparatusin a graduated cylinder; and 7) for every 50 mL of outflow, recordingthe duration of time passed since the opening of the stopcock, for thefirst 50 mL, and between every 50 mL of outflow. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the flow rate for every 50 mL of outflowmay be computed by dividing the volume of outflow by the duration oftime between each respective 50 mL of outflow.

A trend 706A of the waveform 700A demonstrates an inverse relationshipbetween flow rate 702A and the duration of soaking time 704A. The trend706A further demonstrates inconsistency in the flow rate 702A throughthe unmodified paper filter unless the duration of soaking time 704A isabout and/or greater than 600 seconds. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a 600 second soaking time may be appropriate forproduction of the one or more acid-reduced beverages, noting thepreviously stated production times generally known in the art.

FIG. 7B illustrates a waveform 700B and relates the flow rate (e.g., inmL/s) of liquid water 702B through an unmodified paper filter to amagnitude of pressure 704B (e.g., in Pascals) applied to the respectiveunmodified paper filter. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizepressure applied to the respective unmodified paper filter generallyrefers to the pressure applied to a surface thereof through which liquidwater flows. In various embodiments, a technique for producingexperimental data required to produce the waveform 700B may be a fallinghead method. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus, such as theapparatus 300 of FIG. 3 described herein, performs the technique, suchas the falling head method.

In various embodiments, the falling head method, as related to flow rate702B and magnitude of pressure 704B, may include several steps. Steps ofthe falling head method may include, but are not limited to: 1) loadingthe testing apparatus with an unmodified paper filter; 2) adding a 3Dprinted grate to the bottom flange of the apparatus such that theunmodified paper filter is supported against sagging and/or stretchingfrom pressures experienced during the test; 3) adding water to theapparatus in a manner such that a 16 cm column of water forms above theunmodified paper filter; 3) opening the stopcock of the apparatus,allowing the liquid water to flow through the filter, out of theapparatus and into a 500 mL graduated cylinder; and 4) recording timestamps, via slow motion video capture, at 5 mL filling increments of thegraduated cylinder.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the magnitude ofpressure 704B applied to the unmodified paper filter may be described byEquation 1, and thus computed from the recorded time stamps, volumetricdata and other data obtained in and relating to the above method.

$\begin{matrix}{{\Delta\; P} = {{\rho\;{{gh}(t)}} = {{pg}\;\frac{V(t)}{A}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} )\end{matrix}$

Wherein, ΔP may be pressure, V (t) may be the volume of the water columnat a given time, A may be the area of the surface of the unmodifiedpaper filter through which the water column flows, g may be accelerationdue to gravity, and ρ may be the density of liquid water.

One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize that the flowrate 702B through the unmodified paper filter in the above describedfalling head method may be computed in similar manner to that of theabove described constant head method, using the recorded time stamps,volumetric data, other data, and other parameters obtained in and/orcomputed from the above falling head method.

A trend 706B of the waveform 700B demonstrates a direct and laminarrelationship between flow rate 702B through and the magnitude ofpressure 704B applied to the unmodified paper filter. One of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize the direct and laminar relationship isappropriate for production of the one or more acid-reduced beverages,wherein direct and laminar flow rate-pressure relations may furtherenable production consistency.

FIG. 7C illustrates a waveform 700C and relates the flow rate (e.g., inmL/s) of liquid water 702C through an acid-reducing filter, as describedherein, to the volume of cellulose 704C (e.g., in mL) added to a filtersubstrate in fabrication, as described herein, of the respectiveacid-reducing filter. In various embodiments, the relation between theflow rate 702C and the volume of cellulose 704C may be determined viathe above described constant head method and apparatus, wherein theamount of cellulose added to an acid-reducing filter tested isiteratively varied. In one or more embodiments, the characterization ofthe flow rate-cellulose relation enables understanding permeability ofthe acid-reducing filter. In at least one aspect, understanding of thepermeability of the acid-reducing filter may be strongly desired becausethe permeability may significantly contribute to performance, cost, andother elements of the acid-reducing filter.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the flow ratethrough the acid-reducing filter may be computed in similar manner tothat of the above described constant head method (e.g., using therecorded time stamps, volumetric data, other data, and other parametersobtained in the constant head method). In various embodiments, the flowrate-cellulose relation may be described through graphicalvisualization, as has been done in FIG. 7C.

One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize the permeabilityof the acid-reducing filter may be calculated, via methods previouslydescribed herein and rearrangement of Equation 2, from parametersrelating to and data obtained from the above described apparatus andfalling head method, wherein cellulose added is iteratively varied.

$\begin{matrix}{Q = {- \frac{{kA}\;\Delta\; P}{\mu\; L}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} )\end{matrix}$

Wherein, the flow rate may be given by Q (e.g., determined by methodspreviously described herein), ΔP may be a pressure change (e.g.,determined by the difference between respective pressures at disparatetime points), A may be an area of flow (e.g., area of the filter throughwhich the liquid water flows, μ is viscosity of water, and L may be alength over which the pressure change is occurring, or a thickness ofthe acid reducing filter. The permeability of the acid-reducing filtermay be given by k, where k is independent of pressure and area. In atleast one embodiment, performance of the acid-reducing filter may becharacterized by k. In various embodiments, the calculated permeabilityof the acid reducing filter may include, but is not limited to, thevalues listed in Table 3, wherein the values have been calculated fromthe data used in creation of the waveform 700C. In addition, the flowrates of Table 3 are specific to an applied pressure of 606 Pascals andan area of 12.81 cm².

TABLE 3 Tabulated flow rate and permeability values for cellulosevariation. Amount of Cellulose (mL) Flow Rate (mL/s) k Total (cm²) k(Paper) (cm²) 0 48.9 (±1.8)  5.6 × 10⁻⁷ (±2.1 × 10⁻⁸) — 40 3.4 (±0.3)3.9 × 10⁻⁸ (±3.2 × 10⁻⁹) 3.2 × 10⁻⁹ (±2.8 × 10⁻¹⁰) 60 2.2 (±0.1) 2.5 ×10⁻⁸ (±1.3 × 10⁻⁹) 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ (±1.1 × 10⁻¹⁰) 80 1.1 (±0.1) 1.3 × 10⁻⁸(±1.1 × 10⁻⁹) 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ (±8.7 × 10⁻¹¹) 100 0.8 (±0.1)  9.1 × 10⁻⁹ (±7.1× 10⁻¹⁰) 7.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ (±1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰) 

A trend 706C of the waveform 700C demonstrates an inverse relationshipbetween flow rate 702C through and the volume of cellulose 704C added tothe acid-reducing filter. Further, calculations of permeability inrelation to cellulose, listed in Table 2, demonstrate an inverserelationship between permeability of and the volume of cellulose 704Cadded to the acid-reducing filter. In various embodiments, flowrate-cellulose added relations and flow rate-permeability relations mayenable more accurate and precise production and/or performance of theacid-reducing filter.

In one or more embodiments, the above analysis methods may be used in anadditional analysis, wherein the additional analysis characterizes arelationship between the flow rate through the acid-reducing filter anda mass (e.g., in grams) of one or more mineral components (e.g., asdescribed previously herein) added to the filter substrate infabrication, as described herein, of the respective acid-reducingfilter. In various embodiments, the additional analysis furthercharacterizes a relationship between permeability of the acid reducingfilter and the mass of one or more mineral components. In one or moreembodiments, the additional analysis prepares the acid-reducing filterwith a standard volume of cellulose. In at least one embodiment, thestandard volume of cellulose may be 60 mL. The additional analysisperforms tests including iterative loading of the mass of one or moremineral components.

In one or more embodiments, the relationship between flow rate throughthe filter and the mass of one or more mineral components may beinverse. In one or more embodiments, the relationship betweenpermeability and the mass of one or more mineral components may beinverse (e.g., more mass of one or more mineral components reducespermeability of the acid-reducing filter). In various embodiments, avalue of permeability and/or a value of flow rate for the given mass ofone or more mineral components may be captured in Table 4. In addition,Table 4 flow rates are specific to an applied pressure of 606 Pascalsand an area of 12.81 cm². The permeability of the acid-reducing filtermay be given by k, where k is independent of pressure and area. In atleast one embodiment, performance of the acid-reducing filter may becharacterized by k. In one or more embodiments, the mass of one or moremineral components may not significantly affect the flow rate orpermeability of the acid-reducing filter. In at least aspect, the lackof significant effect may be due to the small particle size of the oneor more components (e.g., as described in FIG. 2). In variousembodiments, an acid-reducing filter of the present technology mayinclude a filter permeability from about 1.7×10⁻⁸ cm² to about 5.6×10⁻⁷cm². For example, in any embodiment herein, the filter permeability maybe about 1.7×10⁻⁸ cm², about 2.5×10⁻⁸ cm², about 2.8×10⁻⁸ cm², about3.2×10⁻⁸ cm², about 4.2×10⁻⁸ cm², about 5.6×10⁻⁷ cm², or any rangeincluding and/or in between any two of the preceding values. In at leastone embodiment, an acid-reducing filter of the present technology mayinclude a mineral blend (e.g., in a mineral blend layer and/orintegrally formed into a substrate of the acid-reducing filter)including 60 wt % MgCO₃ and 40 wt % CaCO₃, wherein the acid-reducingfilter exhibits a filter permeability value of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm². Insome embodiments, the permeability of the previous sentence may beexhibited by one or more acid-reducing filters including a mineralblend, wherein the mineral blend includes calcium carbonate in an amountfrom about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % and magnesium carbonate in an amountfrom about 60 wt % to about 75 wt %.

TABLE 4 Tabulated flow rate and permeability values for mineral loadingvariation. Flow Rate (mL/s) k (Total) (cm²) k (Paper) (cm²) CaCO3 (g) 048.9 (±1.8)  5.6 × 10⁻⁷ (±2.1 × 10⁻⁸) — 0.25 2.4 (±0.2) 2.8 × 10⁻⁸ (±2.7× 10⁻⁹) 2.3 × 10⁻⁹ (±2.3 × 10⁻¹⁰) 0.5 2.2 (±0.1) 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ (±1.4 ×10⁻⁹) 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ (±1.2 × 10⁻¹⁰) 0.75 1.5 (±0.3) 1.7 × 10⁻⁸ (±3.0 × 10⁻⁹)1.3 × 10⁻⁹ (±2.5 × 10⁻¹⁰) MgCO3 (g) 0 48.9 (±1.8)  5.6 × 10⁻⁷ (±2.1 ×10⁻⁸) — 0.25 2.8 (±0.4) 3.2 × 10⁻⁸ (±4.4 × 10⁻⁹) 2.6 × 10⁻⁹ (±3.8 ×10⁻¹⁰) 0.5 3.7 (±0.3) 4.2 × 10⁻⁸ (±3.6 × 10⁻⁹) 3.5 × 10⁻⁹ (±3.2 × 10⁻¹⁰)

FIG. 8 illustrates a bar graph 800 and relates coffee pH to coffee typefor one or more respective brands of coffee. The bar graph 800 furthercharacterizes the relation between a pH of Folgers® regular coffeebrewed with a regular (e.g., control) coffee filter 802 (e.g., greybars) to a pH 804 of coffee brewed with an acid-reducing filter, such asthe acid-reducing filter 100 of FIG. 1. In various embodiments, the bargraph 800 indicates a pH relation 806. The pH relation 806 demonstratespH 802 is consistently lower than the pH 804, thus coffee brewed withthe acid-reducing filter may be consistently less acidic than coffeebrewed with a regular coffee filter. In one or more embodiments, the pHrelation 806 holds true for all brands of coffee depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates one or more waveforms, wherein the one or morewaveforms present relationships between pH and one of more variables.FIG. 9A illustrates a waveform 900A and relates a mass of mineral blend(e.g., the one or more mineral components described previously herein)902A added (e.g., to a filter substrate in the fabrication of one ormore acid-reducing filters, similar to the acid-reducing filter 100 ofFIG. 1) to a pH of coffee 904A brewed from one or more acid-reducingfilters. In various embodiments, the mass of mineral blend 902A may beexpressed as a percentage (e.g., as is the case in FIG. 9). A trend 906Aof the waveform 900A demonstrates a direct relationship between the massof mineral blend added 902A and the pH of coffee 904 a.

FIG. 9B illustrates the chart 900B and relates, in one aspect, a volumeof milk 904B added to coffee brewed with a regular (e.g., notacid-reducing) filter to a pH 902B. A trend 906B of the chart 900Bdemonstrates a direct relationship between the volume of milk 904B addedand the pH 902B of the coffee to which the milk was added. A curve 908Breports the pH 902B of coffee brewed with an acid-reducing filter (e.g.,at the same instance of respective coffee brewed without, but with milkadded). In various embodiments, the volume of milk 904B was slowly addedto 100 mL of coffee brewed with the regular filter. A comparison 910Billustrates a disparity between the trend 906B and the curve 908B, andindicates that 50 mL of milk in only 100 mL of coffee is required toachieve the same pH as coffee brewed with the acid-reducing filter. Thecomparison 910B thus further indicates significant dilution of coffeebrewed with the control filter is needed to achieve comparable acidneutralization as coffee brewed with the acid-reducing filter.

The present invention, thus generally described, may be understood morereadily by reference to the following examples, which are not intendedto be limiting of the present invention

Example 1: pH Testing

To quantify the acidity of brewed coffee prepared with filters of thepresent technology, a VWR Symphony pH meter was used. The pH meter wascalibrated and samples tested according to ASTM E70-07. Using a standardbrewing method and a filter paper prepared according to one or more themethods described previous herein, 40 g of packaged medium roast 100%Premium Arabica coffee grounds was added to 475 mL of water and preparedin a 12-cup commercial coffee maker. The pH of each coffee sample wastested immediately after brewing and tested again once the coffee hadcooled to room temperature. Results are recorded in Table 5.

TABLE 5 pH Testing of hand sheets Mineral Dosage pH Immediately After pHat Room Filter Level Brewing Temperature Control 5.15 5.13 A MgCO₃ -41.67% 5.55 5.48 CaCO₃ - 20.83% B MgCO₃ - 83.33% — 5.75 CaCO₃ - 41.67%**Mineral Dosage Level = weight % based on mass of fibers used to makethe filter.

As provided in Table 5, the sample filters A successfully decreased theacidity of the brewed coffee beverage, showing a pH increase of 0.4units immediately after brewing. Upon cooling to room temperature,sample filters A and B showed a pH increase of 0.35 and 0.62 pH unitsmeasured at room temperature. In addition, the Table 5 pH increases,when normalized for mineral retention of the filter, are consistent withpH increases observed in acid-reducing filters produced by other methods(e.g., spray deposition, vacuum deposition, etc.).

Sample filters were prepared with a 90 mL cellulose stock using a methoddescribed previously herein. The mineral blend included 66 wt % MgCO₃and 33 wt % CaCO₃, where the mass of the mineral blend loaded into thefilter was varied. Using a standard brewing method and a filter paper asdescribed above, 40 g of various packaged blend coffee grounds wereadded to 475 mL of water and prepared in a 12-cup commercial coffeemaker. A pH meter was used to determine the pH of each brewed coffeesample. The pH of coffee samples brewed with the control filter had a pHranging from 5.0 to 5.3, whereas the coffee samples brewed with theexemplary acid-reducing filter described above exhibited pH valuesranging from 6.2-6.6. Coffee samples treated with the exemplaryacid-reducing filter showed an average pH in increase of 1.2 units.Accordingly, packaged coffee beverages were successfully acid-reducedprepared using acid-reducing filters prepared according to the presenttechnology.

Acid-reducing filters were prepared according one or more of the methodsdescribed previously herein. Various masses of the mineral blend wereincorporated into each acid-reducing filter at 66 wt % MgCO₃ and 33 wt %CaCO₃. Using a standard brewing method and a filter paper as describedabove, 40 g of various packaged blend coffee grounds were added to 475mL of water and prepared in a 12-cup commercial coffee maker. A pH meterwas used to determine the pH of each brewed coffee sample and pHincreased across each mass amount until a steady state pH was observed.

Example 2: Insolubility Testing

A commercial coffee maker was loaded with a sample acid-reducing filterprepared according to one or more of the methods previously describedherein, water, but no grounds. The pot was brewed as normal, and thewater was collected in a beaker with a known mass. The collected waterin the beaker was then boiled off, and the final mass of the beaker wasmeasured. The residual mass after boiling gave a mineral solubility of42 mg/L for the exemplary acid-reducing filter. Thus, the mineral blendlayer of the sample acid-reducing filter prepared according to thepresent technology is insoluble.

Example 3: Taste Testing

Test 1:

To measure the impact of the prototype filter on taste, double blindtaste testing was performed. Participants were given one 3 fluid ouncecup of packaged 100% Arabica medium roast coffee brewed with a regularfilter (control) and a matching cup brewed with an acid-reducing filter,such as the filter 100 of FIG. 1. Twenty participants were asked toindicate which coffee they would prefer to drink between the controlfilter and acid-reducing filter brewed coffee samples. Test 1demonstrated 79% of the participants either preferred the coffee brewedwith the acid-reducing filter (49%) or had no preference (30%).

Test 2:

Random participants were asked to sample two different coffees. Onecoffee was brewed with an acid-reducing filter, such as the filter 100of FIG. 1, and the other coffee was brewed with regular coffee filter(control). The testing was single blind, and the participants did notknow any information regarding what was different between the twocoffees. The participants would taste 1.5 oz. of each coffee and scoreeach coffee on a scale from 1-10. 1 was the lowest score and 10 was thegreatest, meaning a greater score indicated a better coffee to thatparticipant. The participants wrote the score for each coffee on a slipof paper, and placed that slip in a box in front of the coffee dispenserfor that particular coffee. A total of 54 participants rated the twocoffees and the results showed that the average taste score for coffeebrewed with the acid reducing filter was 6.7/10, whereas the averagescore of coffee brewed with a regular filter was 5.8/10.

Accordingly, coffee beverages brewed according to the method of thepresent technology using acid-reducing filters described hereinexhibited improved taste over regular brewed coffee.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it shouldbe understood that changes and modifications can be made therein inaccordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from thetechnology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably bepracticed in the absence of any element or elements, limitation orlimitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, theterms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be readexpansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms andexpressions employed herein have been used as terms of description andnot of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such termsand expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology.Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understoodto include those elements specifically recited and those additionalelements that do not materially affect the ordinary and novelcharacteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of”excludes any element not specified.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application. Many modifications andvariations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalentmethods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in additionto those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The presentdisclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited toparticular methods, reagents, compounds, or compositions, which can ofcourse vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, andis not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like,include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequentlybroken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individualmember.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

In at least one embodiment, acid-reducing mineral compositions discussedherein may be used in combination with tea bags, single serve beveragepods, and the like. In one such embodiment, an acid-reducing mineralcomposition may be combined with structural materials or added to asingle-serve beverage pod. As an example, a coffee pod may be lined withor a surface of the same may be coated with an acid-reducing substanceas discussed herein (e.g., wherein the single-serve beverage pod isconstructed of plastic or another non-permeable material).

As an additional example, a portion of the single-serve beverage pod mayinclude a mesh, fiber, or cellulose structure for allowing water topass-through the same. In this additional example, the mesh, fiber, orcellulose structure may be bound with a composition including themineral composition and one or more cellulose materials.

CONCLUSION

While various aspects have been described in the context of a preferredembodiment, additional aspects, features, and methodologies of theclaimed methods and products (e.g., of the claimed methods) will bereadily discernible from the description herein, by those of ordinaryskill in the art. Many embodiments and adaptations of the disclosure andclaimed methods and products (e.g., of the claimed methods) other thanthose herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements and methodologies, will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the disclosure and the foregoing descriptionthereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the claims.Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of variousprocesses described and claimed herein are those considered to be thebest mode contemplated for carrying out the claimed methods and products(e.g., of the claimed methods). It should also be understood that,although steps of various processes may be shown and described as beingin a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any suchprocesses are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve aparticular intended result. In most cases, the steps of such processesmay be carried out in a variety of different sequences and orders, whilestill falling within the scope of the claimed methods and products(e.g., of the claimed methods). In addition, some steps may be carriedout simultaneously, contemporaneously, or in synchronization with othersteps.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the claimed methods and products (e.g., of the claimedmethods) and their practical application so as to enable others skilledin the art to utilize the methods and products, and various embodimentsand with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which the claimed systems pertain withoutdeparting from their spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of theclaimed methods and products (e.g., of the claimed methods) is definedby the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and theexemplary embodiments described therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An acid-reducing filter comprising: a mineralblend layer deposited to a filter substrate, wherein: the mineral blendlayer comprises calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate at a weightratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1; the mineral blend layer is free ofsoluble halide or hydroxide salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals;and the mineral blend layer is insoluble in water.
 2. The acid-reducingfilter of claim 1, wherein the calcium carbonate is present in an amountfrom about 25 wt % to about 40 wt % of the mineral blend layer.
 3. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 2, wherein the magnesium carbonate ispresent in an amount from about 60 wt % to about 75 wt % of the mineralblend layer.
 4. The acid-reducing filter of claim 3, wherein themagnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate of the mineral blend layer arepresent in approximate amounts of 66 wt % and 33 wt %, respectively, andwherein the acid-reducing filter comprises a filter permeability ofabout 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².
 5. The acid-reducing filter of claim 3, wherein themineral blend layer further comprises insoluble fiber materials selectedfrom the group consisting of virgin bleached cellulose fibers, virginunbleached cellulose fibers, recycled unbleached cellulose fibers, hemp,synthetic fibers, nylon, biofibers, or mixtures of two or more thereof.6. The acid-reducing filter of claim 1, wherein the acid-reducing filterfurther comprises one or more coating layers.
 7. The acid-reducingfilter of claim 6, wherein the one or more coating layers comprise: afirst coating layer deposited to the filter substrate; a second coatinglayer deposited to the mineral blend layer, wherein: the mineral blendlayer is disposed between the first coating layer and the second coatinglayer; and the first coating layer and the second coating layer compriseinsoluble fiber materials.
 8. The acid-reducing filter of claim 1,wherein the filter substrate is a coffee filter paper.
 9. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 1, wherein the acid reducing filtercomprises a flow rate from about 5.0-10.0 milliliters per second.
 10. Anacid-reducing filter comprising: a insoluble fiber material and amineral blend, wherein: the mineral blend comprises calcium carbonateand magnesium carbonate at a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1;the mineral blend is free of soluble halide or hydroxide salts of alkalior alkaline earth metals; and the mineral blend is insoluble in water.11. The acid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein the acid-reducingfilter comprises a filter permeability of about 2.7×10⁻⁸ cm².
 12. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein the weight ratio of calciumcarbonate to magnesium carbonate is from about 1:5 to about 5:1.
 13. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein the weight ratio of calciumcarbonate to magnesium carbonate is from about 1:4 to about 2:3.
 14. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein the acid-reducing filtercomprises a flow rate from about 3.0-10.0 milliliters per second. 15.The acid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein the mineral blend furthercomprises calcium stearate, calcium fluoride, magnesium stearate, ormixtures of two or more thereof.
 16. The acid-reducing filter of claim10, wherein the magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate of the mineralblend layer are present in approximate amounts of 66 wt % and 33 wt %,respectively.
 17. The acid-reducing filter of claim 10, wherein theinsoluble fiber material is selected from the group consisting of virginbleached cellulose fibers, virgin unbleached cellulose fibers, recycledunbleached cellulose fibers, hemp, synthetic fibers, nylon, biofibers,or mixtures of two or more thereof.
 18. The acid-reducing filter ofclaim 10, wherein the mineral blend is a mineral blend layer depositedonto a substrate and the acid-reducing filter further comprises one ormore coating layers.
 19. The acid-reducing filter of claim 18, whereinthe one or more coating layers comprise: a first coating layer depositedto the substrate; a second coating layer deposited to the mineral blendlayer, wherein: the mineral blend layer is disposed between the firstcoating layer and the second coating layer; and the first coating layerand the second coating layer comprise insoluble fiber materials.
 20. Theacid-reducing filter of claim 19, wherein the substrate is selected fromthe group consisting of felt, wool, micron-grade filter paper, coffeefilter paper, and non-woven water-permeable fibrous material.